It would be nice if that were the case, but then the people who make their living or part of their living from translations would be cheated of their gain, and that would reduce the availability of translations.

I know of some translators who have licensed "parish use" copies to missions that could not afford the full series of books, etc. But to release it in to cyberspace would be detrimental in the long run to sound translation work in many cases.

Some are able to support themselves by other means, and they translate freely. God bless them for their generosity; I say this without criticizing those who must enforce their copyright.

I've been told by a number of creators of liturgical texts, in both the Orthodox Church and other Christian bodies, that copyright on liturgical texts is meant to ensure that texts are distributed unaltered and credited. If someone is redistributing them in an inappropriately altered form, the copyright holder can take action. It shouldn't be about stopping free distribution: the Gospel must be available to all.

Certainly in most of the Orthodox world, the Church sees no problem with photocopying materials they need. Many monasteries often sell photocopies of copyright works to visitors without seeking authorization from the copyright holder first.

The American Book of Common Prayer is always placed in the public domain; editions for official use, however, have a certification page testifying that they have been checked against a reference copy, and in the proposed book that page alone is copyrighted. Supplemental texts are placed under copyright, as of course is the hymnal; however, in either case what one does to use it in a service is send a letter to Church Publishing, and in general they will give you permission to copy as needed for inclusion in a bulletin. There is also a copyright permission system called CCLI for church music, and some works allow you to copy all or certain parts as needed for use in services.